Salt Rock runner set to tackle Rhino Peak for conservation

One Shaka’s Rock resident is prepared to scale mountains to save rhinos from extinction.

Rod Spencer (36) will be taking part in the Rhino Peak Challenge as an ambassador on November 6, which sees entrants racing from the foot of Rhino Peak near Underberg to the summit and back.

The 21km course sees the runners climb 3 056 metres, with the same distance back down in a seemingly Sisyphean task.

It is not for nothing however, as all of the funds raised by the runners and the race will go directly towards wildlife conservation in South Africa.

Primarily, the focus is on rhino conservation with more than R2.5 million raised for Wildlife ACT, The Endangered Wildlife Trust and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife since the challenge’s inception in 2016.

Rod is passionate about conservation, having travelled extensively throughout Southern Africa, seeing some of the best of what our continent has to offer.

“I have had the privilege of working, volunteering, and exploring our beautiful continent and it is undeniable that rural development and conservation need to coincide if we are to see our continent’s potential fully unlocked.

“Wildlife Act has had an amazing impact in this space and it is a privilege to raise funds for them, and in doing so improve the chances of my children’s children enjoying Africa like we do,” he said.

Ambassadors are responsible for raising at least R20 000 towards the various conservation organisations, but hopefully much much more.

Rod has raised R12 700 so far, placing him 7th on the ambassador leader board.

To support his fundraising initiative, but more importantly to support local wildlife conservation, visit the website at rhinopeakchallenge.co.za.

Be sure to click on the ambassadors tab first, to select Rod before you make a donation.

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